Strong Stance of the Head of the Political-Defense Commission Against the Financial Action Task Force

While the head of the Political-Defense Commission of the Expediency Discernment Council has stated that the purpose of approving bills related to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is to reduce Iran's defensive and nuclear power, a member of the council mentions that 'if the Palermo bill reaches a deadlock in the council, we should refer to public votes.' Ahmad Vahidi, the head of the Political-Defense Commission, claimed at a seminar on Tuesday that the FATF is 'not an economic organization, but rather a security system independent of the United Nations.' The Palermo bill and Iran's accession to the Convention on Combating the Financing of Terrorism have not yet been approved, while the FATF's deadline for Iran is about a month away. Supporters of Iran's accession to this treaty argue that its opponents fear economic transparency and preventing banking corruption. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has also warned that if the bills related to FATF regulations are not approved, financial transactions for Iran will become 20% more expensive. Opponents of Iran's accession to FATF regulations, mainly from the opposition of Rouhani's government, argue that this would block financial assistance to 'Hamas' and 'Hezbollah.' Vahidi, who opposes joining FATF regulations, further stated that 'when the enemy saw it could not prevent our nuclear progress with a resolution, it included nuclear issues as part of FATF to force us into acceptance and hinder our advancement and reduce our defensive power.' Vahidi, who was the Minister of Defense during Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's presidency, did not provide further explanation about the connection between the FATF and Iran's nuclear and defense programs. In Iran's parliamentary resolutions regarding the FATF-related bills, it has been stated that the Islamic Republic does not consider groups that engage in 'legitimate defense' as terrorist groups. However, opponents argue that these conditions would not be enforceable if Iran joins these conventions and would block financial assistance to 'Hamas,' 'Hezbollah,' and similar groups. The issue of a 'referendum' on the approval of the bills has been discussed. The Expediency Discernment Council has had the Palermo Convention on its agenda in its last two sessions but has not yet rejected or approved it. However, the Political-Defense and Legal-Judicial Commissions of the council have rejected this bill. Nonetheless, according to ISNA news agency, Majid Ansari, a member of the Expediency Discernment Council, predicted on Tuesday that this bill would be approved in this body. He emphasized that there is no 'deadlock' due to the existence of the Expediency Discernment Council, but if 'in some ordinary ways, resolving very important issues is not achieved, there is the possibility of referring to public votes and a referendum.' Ansari added, 'Some people are terrified of the word referendum and think that a referendum means overthrowing the system. This is not the case at all. The Constitution clearly states that in important economic, cultural, or political matters, legislation may be conducted through direct reference to public votes.' He also stated that 'of course, it is not yet time for a referendum' and that the Palermo bill will be 'resolved' in the Expediency Discernment Council. Despite Ayatollah Khamenei's previous opposition, a letter from him was read in the public session of the parliament on October 7, stating, 'I have no objection to the examination of these bills in the parliament.' However, some of Khamenei's appointees, including Friday prayer leaders, have called for the rejection of these bills, and in recent days, gatherings have been held in some Friday prayers and mosques. Meanwhile, Ansari stated that the political conflicts surrounding the FATF-related bills 'have gone beyond expert discussions.' According to this member of the Expediency Discernment Council, Saeed Jalili, the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council during Ahmadinejad's presidency, had recommended in a letter with his 'handwriting' that these bills be approved. Ansari emphasized that 'a suspicious movement has tried to exploit the pure feelings and genuine concerns of the faithful, youth, and seminarians to divert this issue from its natural course.' He also reported that after the Saturday session of the Expediency Discernment Council, he received 'death threat text messages and, as they put it, bloody confrontations.' Previously, some members of parliament had reported receiving 'death threat text messages' due to their support for the FATF-related bills. Meanwhile, several ministers have requested in a letter to Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, that the two bills related to FATF regulations be approved before the expiration of the FATF's deadline, which is about a month away. This letter has been criticized by some Friday prayer leaders. Two other FATF-related bills, including 'the bill to amend the Law on Combating the Financing of Terrorism' and 'the bill to amend the Law on Combating Money Laundering,' have been approved by the Guardian Council and the Expediency Discernment Council. The FATF, on October 19, expressed regret that most of Iran's commitments remain unresolved and extended Iran's suspension from the FATF blacklist for another four months, which was welcomed by Iranian officials.